October 6, 2012

Our New Van!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Days at this Dennie house are sometimes a little wild and unplanned but today was wild, unplanned and downright nuts!  (and we loved every minute of it!)  So here is what all went down:
• The kids woke up at 7:04 and all were climbing out of bed when I made my way up there.  Now Anderson had already woken up at Nonna's house at 4:37.  He saw the clock and said "it's 7"-close but we do read from left to right.
• I do my best to plan ahead-last night I had laid out uniforms for the game, ice chest and hot chocolate also, clothes for this afternoon and even Sunday clothes.  The plan as I knew it was to come home briefly to change clothes and then head back out again after the game.  But after the kids had eaten breakfast and were putting on their shoes, Robby changed the plans...
• This involved me and him running (yes, literally running) through the house-gathering clothes for this afternoon, packing up Kennedy's bag, getting dry socks and shoes for after the game, grabbing snacks, throwing clothes in the dryer-absolute craziness.  
• We made it to the football field on time but we weren't exactly early.  They weren't running through the tunnel today because of the wet areas.  My boys were on fire today!  Graham received a hand off and ran a few yards (not really sure if those few yards were forwards or backwards!)  He had told Nonna earlier in the week that he "just couldn't get a flag" and she encouraged him to run a little bit faster.  Well, today, that little guy got himself a flag!  He was so proud and wanted to tell everyone.  
• And my Anderson caught a pass and ran a few yards (the right way) before someone grabbed his flag.  Though his flag was sticking way out-next week the flags will be slightly in front of them and the next week a bit of super glue may be used!  Nah, I wouldn't really do that (or at least I wouldn't write about it on the blog!)
• The other coach was a bit too into the game today.  He called one of players out of bounds as he was running for a touchdown.  I will give him that it was hard to see since he was on the other side of the field but whatever-we still counted that touchdown.  And Anderson might have been doing some of that "new" math when he counted the score at 5-4 but as long as they have fun (and think we won!)
• Now, Reagan is becoming my little cheerleader.  Seriously, she is the only one that you can hear.  Nonna and I were surprised that she wasn't hoarse after the game.  She knows the moves, knows the cheers and enjoys every second of it.  I wish she didn't like cheerleading so much, but she does!
• Kennedy and Campbell watched Reagan through out the game.  They moved their chairs from field to field following her around.  Nonna and I watched Reagan most of the game as well-actually, I don't think that any of the rest of us ever set down.  It was too cold to sit down.  Keaton was all bundled up and enjoyed being passed around.  And the rest of us just wanted to stay warm so we kept moving.  Even though it was freezing, my hot chocolate was still too hot to drink-it was still hot during the afternoon and I even bet it is still warm right now (still outside in the car-hey, I got most of the stuff out of the car but I can't remember it all.)
• After the game, we passed on the celebratory icees (since it was ice cold outside) and switched car seats out.  Keaton was put in Pops' truck and the rest of us headed downtown.  At the Clinton library, the kids in uniforms (all 4 of mine) changed in the van.  Kennedy was the only one not needing to change her clothes.  Then we headed out to explore the fire safety stuff.
• Our first stop was setting in the big firetruck and the fireman even gave the kids firehats.  Then we got in line for a ride (little pirate ship) but they stopped it because the rain started-pretty hard sprinkle.  Thankfully, we had our umbrellas in the car and Robby ran to get them.  We usually never have any umbrellas but for some reason we both had our big umbrellas-worked out perfectly.  
• Then everyone got a try on the fair game where to swing the hammer to make the ball hit the bell.  It was quite a sight seeing all of the kids just try to lift the hammer.  Caroline and Alyssa Kate were there as well.  Then we picked up two frisbees-one of us and one for Kennedy.  Around the corner were jumpys but it was too wet and I had to tell the kids that we couldn't (heartbroken-but I didn't want for them to walk around for the rest of the day in wet socks).  
• We took a picture but an old timey fire truck and then had hot dogs and icees (free as well!).  I chose not to get an icee-since it was cold, cold and wet!  But the kids sure enjoyed theirs.  As we were leaving someone handed everyone tshirts so that was as added bonus.  And then the rain started and when I say started, I mean started!  
• We made it to the car before the bottom fell out and they stood under the tailgate and ate their icees.  When they finished, we all moved into the van and just sat and watched the rain and people running for awhile.  
• Our next stop was supposed to the the food trucks on Main street.  They were supposed to have something for the kids too but by then it was raining to hard to get the crew out-so Robby ventured out alone.  He grabbed me and him bbq and cheesy chips and frito chili pie and I passed out chips for the kids.  They were fine sitting in the car because the movie was on and I kept the food and drinks coming!
• Next up, Robby had to do a bit of shopping at Burger King so I then passed out fries to everyone and then we ran to another Burger King.  My kids are used to this Dennie mystery shopping madness but Kennedy said "why do we have to go to 2 Burger Kings."  Of course, the answer was-we like our fries!  
• By this time we were in Maumelle and Jodee came to pick up Kennedy and Robby ran into Walmart to pick up a few things.  One of those things being a big oil drip pan that I am going to use as a magnet board for the little ones to play with during school.  I get uncomfortable spending 11 dollars on such a spur of the moment purchase (remember that fact for what happens later in the day and as you mentally compare my spending habits to Robbys)
• Then we headed to Nonna's house to pick up Keaton who opted to stay warm and dry with Nonna and Pops.  But on the way we did stop at Chick fil a for milkshakes-living on the wild side.  At Nonna's house we let the kids get out and sat down for a few minutes.  Before too long, we were talking about the need for a new van.  Yes, 6 kids won't fit in the mini van so we knew that we would have to get a large, larger, much much larger van.  
• Pops asked Robby if he wanted to go and just look at vans.  And Robby took him up on it-and that is where I should just end the blog!  Ha!  They were gone for quite awhile.  I text and my question was "you buying one?" and the reply was "think so."  About an hour later, my new 15 passenger van pulled into Pops' driveway.  (Remember how I stressed about spending 11 dollars!)
• Anyway, we bought the van from one of Pops' friends and he shot straight and Robby felt good about the price so why wait.  Actually, Robby has said that the only thing that made him nervous about having baby number 6 was the process of buying a new van.  So now that is over!
• The kids were so excited about the van-we have rented one at least once on a trip so they felt immediately like they were going on a trip. I have them so spread out in that massive thing that can hardly talk to each other and I will have to do a head count every time I leave since there are so many empty seats (8 right now but will be only 7 after baby 6 arrives.  But we will take out the final row for added trunk space so that will only leave 3 extra seats-my, my, who can we take!)  
• Robby not only brought home the new van but he also brought home a pizza supper.  We ate and then  quickly loaded up to take Nonna for a spin around the block.  Then we headed to Grannymom's house to show her the new van.  
• Dana saw us in the neighborhood and stopped to see the van.  She said it was "pretty"-that might have been a liberal usage of the word "pretty."  I would classify it as functional, practical and humongous but probably not pretty.  Anyway, Grannymom, Grandpa, Dana, Lilly and Cash all loaded up with us for a spin around their neighborhood.  
• Then we went inside Grannymom's house for a bit.  By now the kids were pretty tired and mellow (Anderson had been up since 4:30, add a football game and cheering for the big 3 and no afternoon naps for the little 2).  We spent a while there and then headed back home.
• We made it home after 7 and had been gone for nearly 12 hours.  We sent the kids upstairs while we parked the van in the garage.  And IT FITS!  Woo hoo!  It fits barely with skillful driving!  Ha!  We will have to move the fridge and the freezer to the other side but that is fine.  Of course, we had gotten used to how the garage was arranged and it will take awhile to get used to things being different.  That is fine though-change is good!
• We tucked everyone in bed and they went to sleep fairly quickly.  Though the could hear us-Robby was working on getting the phone stuff set up in the new van and I was working on unpacking a van full of stuff (now when I say van full of stuff, I mean the mini van full of stuff.  If I were talking about the new van then I would still be unloading!)
• Robby and I even did a load of laundry and decided to sit down for the evening.  And just as soon as we sit down, Robby mentions moving the couch.  So before I knew it, we rearranged all of the furniture in the living room.  I have made my cookies, have my blanket and am settled into my new spot for the night.  Wonderfully, nutty day!